Agency boss pledges robust patrol of borders

The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede has pledged to re –organise and intensify Nigerian borders patrol to deal with security threats in the country.

Babandede said this on Saturday in Abuja at an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja.

According to him, it takes more than goodwill to patrol our borders, we need equipment, we need training and we need the cooperation of our partners.

"I can assure you that we have already started the process of ensuring improved border patrols.

“We have started specialised training for our officers and we are also equipping them with patrol vehicles and other gadgets needed for surveillance,’’ he said.

He said that he was also studying the proposal on the use of the e-border system in the country, which entails the deployment of technology and surveillance across the borders.

"You cannot talk about some sophisticated surveillance equipment at the borders when you don’t have the well trained personnel and patrol vehicles to even apprehend the culprits’’ he said.

The Immigration boss said the NIS was also working with the Nigeria Police Force and INTERPOL, so as to have access to the International Police (INTERPOL) I-24/7 database portal.

According to him, this will facilitate success in the current war against terrorism and other organised crimes in the country.

“To win the war against terrorism, insurgency and other organized crimes it has become imperative for the Nigeria Immigration Service to be granted access to the INTERPOL I-24/7 portal.

“The INTERPOL I-24/7 network enables the 190 member countries to search and cross-check data of suspected criminals, wanted persons, stolen or lost travel documents within seconds,’’ he said.

On the herdsmen/farmers clashes in the country and the possibility of non Nigerians perpetrating the violence, he said, that he was already working with relevant government agencies to ensure that all foreigners in the 774 LGAs are registered for proper monitoring.

He appealed to Nigerians to support the Nigeria Immigration Service in its bid to ensure security and proper movement of Nigerians and foreigners in and out of the country.